You Belong With Me

et out a sigh of relief, enjoying the peace of a quiet, uneventful weekend for once. After a chaotic week of waiting tables, the calm felt like a rewar

d applying to anything she thought she could handle, from entry-level office jobs to part-time gigs. So far, nothing had panned out, but she was determined

ned the door. Her breath caught the mo

cup down before throwing her arms aro

miliar as it was comforting. She was dressed simply in an oversized blu

y. "I'm so sorry I couldn't come sooner. John's recovery took longer

ara's kind face. "Don't apologize, please. I'm just re

. When she returned, she found Clara looking around her apartment with a soft smile. Her gaze lingered on the worn, secondhand

own," Clara said, her eyes shining w

rphanage, had become something of a mother figure to Amy, the scared little girl she'd taken in

Clara the tea. "There were times I didn't think I'd make it, especi

ld have been here for you then. You know, if you

rinkled her nose, giving Clara her usual pout whenever Jacob's name came

e orphanage when he'd always teased her for being the scrappy little girl who never followed

shared updates about the orphanage, telling her about the new kids, the old staff, and the latest news in the small, close-knit communit

de, and Clara let out a small sigh, glancing at he

Just as Clara rose to leave, she reached into her pocket

orphanage for you a week ago. It was addressed to you, so I opened it. It's a job offer-a secre

"I didn't apply for this job. And why would they send

fore she shrugged. "Maybe it was an oversight. You did say you've been applying to so

l as she stared at the le

. "It's a wonderful opportunity, and you could real

y warmth she'd missed so much, before heading to the door.

r tightly. "Tell John I'm glad he's

staring at the envelope on the coffee table, her thoughts swirling. Somethin

he neatly typed letter. It was an official job offer for a full-time secretary position, complete with a generous salary and bene

r worries. But the nagging feeling in the back of her mind wouldn't go away. Why had the letter gon

a was right; maybe it was just a coincidence. After all, she had been desperate, applyi